Manaus Brazil August 6,08

Wednesday, August 06, 2008 11:23 AM

Whats up numskulls? Is everyone still alive and making it? Hope so. It has been a week since I have talked to you guys but it feels like forever. So much has happened this week. Sounds like the same story there. You guys are busier than ever and your summer is flying by. It started summer here a couple days ago so it should get pretty interesting. My comp has a pic of last September where it was 54 degrees celcious. Hot huh? Plus walking on the pavement all the time. I cant wait.
So you guys took a spurt trip down to the salmon river this last weekend. That is really awesome. It was a coincidence cause I was just telling some elders about our trips there. Especially how we met elder oaks there. That was awesome. You guys thought that I was nuts. Ha ha. So many good memories there. Playing beach football too. I love it there. So the water was a touch low from what dad said but you still got a good ride. The pictures that I saw looked like it was running pretty good to me. Zoey went too. I think that that dog has more time on a raft than I do. Sad. So what camp ground did you stay at? How was the weather and such? Took the trailer too so it had not of been to bad. I remember we always slept out on the beach on a tarp and watch the shooting stars. Sweet. But it sounds like it was a success. You made it to church also. They only have a branch there huh? That is surprising. They even had a linger longer after. You guys pound all of the food or what? Ha. Elder blaser from my ctm group has a cabin right there on the salmon did ya know it? He said it is close the big bridege if I can remember right. Anyways I will definitely go there someday with him and my family. I will be married by then. Ha. Only the lord knows. Did you guys see any snakes or anything?
So dad will be heading up to the joe this weekend to get some work put in up there. Then jon or tyler or the two of them will be heading to the pond peak. That will be sweet. I remember all the times I went up there and helped with that. That is so nice to get up there in the mountains and be in the peace and quite away from the world. I miss that. Living in the city makes me miss the mountains a ton. So dusty will be heading up there with them too. Is he getting a out of state tag or what is the deal there? They are going to knock them dead up there I know it. (just a note it gives me a nightmare that I never found that big bull that I shot….freaking a!!!) there are always a bunch of bulls up there and lots of success. Ask dusty…..fetch…and tyler….fetch. and you can add me too now. I love that area though. Its all good. Good luck up there. So when are dad and brett heading up to Alaska? I have not hear anything about what is up with that. What are you guys going to hunt and do? Will it be another drop hunt or what. Will jermey take you guys in? how is he lately dad? I hate what happened there. Anyways give me some feed back. And you should also check canfield. Use it for nikell or brynne or someone. It is money. No joke. Ask brett he wacked a nice buck there last year.
So birthdays. This last wee we had brett. 33? Freak your old man. Maybe I could have a wheelchair sent to you we have extra from the church drive we put on here! Ha ha. I know that your making it. Just try to be positive, your one year closer to retirement. Ha ha. Just joking man. Anyways happy birthday. Now Tyler’s is coming up. Then there is DADS the 18th !!!!!! sent letters today so I hope you get them. Then next Sunday is fathers day! Man that really brang back memories to me. I wrote all about them to you dad. Hunting, fishing, sports, trips. The list is endless. How blessed I am to have the father I do. What a blessing. I have a Christ like example in my life to follow, and always have hands to help me up. Dad I love you. You’re the man. I have so many fond memories. Your not only my father but you’re my friend. Nothing I can do would ever make up for the sacrifices you have made in my behalf. All I can say is I love you and happy fathers day. Fathers are so special. They have there own sort of ways to do things, to help you, to love you, and to show affection. They are special. They are our priesthood holders, and the head of the house like Christ is the head of the church. They are the foundation of the home. They are special.
So how am i? I am great. So much has happened in the last week that I cannot really think of it all. I always have more stuff to tell you after I leave the internet café, and remember things I wish I could have asked and said. But this last Saturday I started the English class. I taught 50 people roughly. It went amazing. I had fasted that I might teach well and I did awesome. Taught for about an hour and a half. I teach members non members and kids and grandmas and grandpas. It is such an experience. It was amazing how I became so effective and everything. But I also try to work in the gospel into the lesson. I read the book of Mormon in English and then in Portuguese and I translate and they read too. Learning pronunciation. It is really a treat. I enjoy it. They love that I am so energetic and fun. Only missionaries can have that kind of spark and effect ya know? Anyways it was awesome. I have that every week on Saturday s. also I have started really teaching hard. I have been kicking but. Marking baptisms and marriages like they are going out of style baby. Really feeling it. I have really received a desire to work my can off. I love the work. Seeing people’s lives change is all worth it. Also this is the lord’s work. This is his time not mine. I am an instrument in his hands. I am a part of his army. I am talking with everyone. I remember what Tyler said to me once letter he sent to me. He talked about how he never let anyone pass by him in the street. I took that to heart and I am talking to everyone, not making exceptions cause everyone needs to hear the message of the gospel. So that is what I have been doing. Also this Friday I have conference. It should be cool. He in manaus it is different than boa vista. You have like 4 zones together so there is lots of missionaries. I will finally get to meet the president too. He is cool I heard but now I will get to talk to him. I don’t think I have ever wanted an interview so bad. So that’s all that is up to me. I am teaching a family willian and disiley. They are really cool and exceptive. Cant go to church this week though cause of the fathers day but they go to activities and we even had family home evening with the bishop in their house and made food to eat. They are cool and progressing. So much to tell you about investigators the list could go on for forever. Serious. I think we have over sixty in our teaching group. It is packed. I know exactly who I am teaching for the next 6 days. Crazy. Lots of success. Pulling some dead weight though with the comp. trying to get him motivated. That’s all that is up with me. Eating sleeping and working constantly. I hit it hard daily. Work hard play hard baby. It’s the gatten tradition.
To answer some of dads questions…no we don’t have a fire plan there. It’s a sky scraper too so that is not safe. Only have stairs there too. In the manaus mission we have 170 missionaries. Its big. Also they serve mostly here in manaus but also other small cities such as parintins, malwes, manacaparu, itacwatiara, tefé and boa vista. That’s it. But ya. It’s a big mission. Lots of good stuff going on here. Its weird to think sometimes that I am on a mission, and before I know it ill be half way over. Nuts.
I know that this gospel is true. I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the book of Mormon and also that Joseph was a prophet called of god. He was called to bring forth this testament of Jesus Christ. I love president monson, he is a prophet of god here on the earth today, along with the twelve. The church is built upon the same organizational structure of that of Christ’s church. Its restored, it his church and he is the head of it, with a mouthpiece here on the earth to bring to pass his will. I love the gospel. It is so special to me. I love sharing it with others. Nothing fills me with so much joy as that of sharing something that I love and I know is true. The church Christ established is a missionary church. That is why each member is called as a member missionary. kateLyn is having an experience with that right now in her life. It is an awesome example of praying for experience, seeing and taking the opportunity to share the gospel. Like it is testified in the scriptures….how great will be your joy in the sight of god if you bring but one soul unto his kingdom. I know that it is our responsibility to share the gospel. It is more of a responsibility for the members to find the people to teach and for the missionaries to teach them. You know that. It was even said in conference. The members here in brazil help so much. They teach with us, and invite everyone to activities and pass by in actives at their own will. Awesome. I hope that you will all begin doing the same. When we have a righteous desire and we ask in faith for help to bring it to pass the lord will help us. I love you all. Have an awesome week and never forget to have family home evening, and personal and companionship scripture study. Come on people I do it for hours each day. Make time for the things that matter most. The knowledge that we gain in this life we can carry over to the next. Then how important is it to study now? Take the advice of pres hinckly and study daily. I know you will be blessed as you do so. Love you all. Keep it real ladys and gentlemen. Love you aj=)

Elder gatten